5 Foods That May Trigger Asthmatic Attack in Children

Priya was juggling work with endless errands when she received a call from Kimaya's school. She'd had an asthmatic attack, and was being taken to the closest hospital. Fear and dread filled Priya's heart as she battled rush-hour traffic to get there. Fortunately, it was a mild attack, and soon Kimaya was well. After a thorough check-up, the trigger for the attack was narrowed down to the harmless peanut butter sandwich from a friend's lunchbox.

While the cause of asthma cannot be exactly pointed out, it does have some common triggers. And children who have food allergies have it tough. When they come in contact with the food they're allergic to, it can lead to a reaction with asthma symptoms. 

What Is Asthma? Why Does It Happen?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. The airways are considered to be narrow and small in children, and hence the symptoms might be severe. The causes of asthma might vary from one child to another. However, what remains consistent is that whenever the airways come in contact with an allergen or asthma trigger, the airways become inflamed, narrow, and ultimately fill with mucus. This makes it hard for the child to breathe. [Read More: ]

What Are Some Common Foods That Can Trigger Asthma?

Here is some information that can help you understand asthma and which food can trigger an asthmatic attack in kids -

1. Milk: Studies on milk remain controversial, with some advocating that it is good for asthma, and others disagreeing with this. However, there have been cases when children are unable to tolerate milk and milk products, resulting in wheezing, coughing and other respiratory symptoms. Hence if you feel that your child has suffered from an asthmatic attack in the past due to the consumption of dairy products, it is best to avoid these
2. Eggs: While skin allergies like hives are commonly triggered after eating eggs, an asthmatic attack could also be a possible reaction. Egg allergy is usually seen in children, and in most cases, they grow out of it, too. In case your little one has been detected with an egg allergy then abstain from giving eggs and foods containing eggs. Watch out for food labels while at a store
3. Peanuts: Peanuts can trigger immediate asthmatic attacks. The situation is grossly compounded when a child has a peanut allergy. Studies have shown that children who are allergic to peanuts are more likely to develop asthma, and even require hospitalization in severe cases. Hence if your child is suspected to have a peanut allergy, then avoid peanuts and anything containing them. Keep a close watch on food labels, because certain food products might contain traces of it
4. Salt: There are mixed reviews on the intake of salt in children suffering from asthma. However, it is known that Inflammation and tightening of the airways result in an asthmatic attack. Salt can contribute to inflammation and fluid retention, in short increasing the chances of having an asthma attack. Many doctors strictly advocate including less salt in meals. If you are aware that your child is prone to asthmatic, then use less salt while cooking. Avoid giving your child processed, packaged, and ready to eat foods. Read food labels carefully, as excess sodium is unhealthy for your child
5. Shellfish: Shellfish allergy is also known to be common in children, and it can trigger an asthma attack. If your child is allergic to shellfish she might not be able to eat lobster, crab, and shrimps, because, unlike an egg allergy, this allergy doesn't disappear with time
6. Wheat: Symptoms such as wheezing and rashes are commonly associated with a wheat allergy. Bread, pasta or any other food containing wheat can trigger symptoms of asthma in a child who is allergic to it.

Also Note: Even non-food products like Play-Doh, that a child loves playing with, and some cosmetics contain wheat. Read ingredient labels carefully.

If your child is prone to asthma attacks, it would help to investigate these food allergies. The cause for asthma is unclear, but once you identify triggers, you can be careful to avoid them.

Have any more tips about foods that trigger asthma? Share them with us in the comments section!